[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE MOUNT CLEMENS ROTARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Mount Clemens 
Rotary as they plan a unique local celebration of the 100th anniversary 
of Rotary International.
  The Mount Clemens Rotary Club, organized in 1920, is the oldest and 
largest service club in Macomb County. The Mount Clemens Rotary and 
many individual rotarians have been at the forefront of activity in 
their community. A few of the many projects over the years include: 
assistance through the Cripple Children Society and the Boy Scouts; 
providing aid to the Clinton River Flood victims; working in the Relief 
Store during the Great Depression; leading the Urban Renewal Program in 
the 1950s and 60s; and helping to establish both Rotary Park in 
Downtown Mount Clemens and the Playscape on the old Wilson School 
property.
  To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International, the Mt. 
Clemens Rotary is preserving a bit of history in downtown Mt. Clemens. 
Two cannons, donated by the United States Government in 1901, were 
originally in front of the old Macomb County Court Building. The 
cannons were placed on pedestals and remained there until 1942 when at 
the request of the U.S. Government they were donated as part of the 
World War II scrap metal effort.
  For sometime the Macomb County Historical Commission has wanted to 
replace the missing cannons, but the cost was always a major hurdle. 
Members of the Mount Clemens Rotary Club decided this worthy project 
could both commemorate local history and the history of Rotary.
  The two cannons are accurate representations of a cannon used by 
General Alexander Macomb in 1812 and a cannon used by Colonel Stockton 
in the Civil War. General Alexander Macomb was the hero of the battle 
of Plattsburg and Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. General Macomb 
with only 3,000 troops was able to rout 13,000 British troops. The 
other cannon was dedicated to the memory of the Michigan Eight Calvary 
Regiment and their commander, Colonel John Stockton. The Regiment along 
with the Battery M of the 1st Michigan Artillery was organized and 
trained at Camp Stockton in Mount Clemens from the Fall of 1862 to May 
1863.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 27, 2005, the Mount Clemens Rotary, working 
with the Macomb County Historical Society, will replace and rededicate 
the two cannons at a grand ceremony during the Bath City Festival. I 
look forward to joining with them, and ask my Congressional colleagues 
to join me in saluting a major community asset, the Mount Clemens 
Rotary, on this important and historic occasion.

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